Telephone system



2 S (No Model.) heets Sheet 1.

l o. C. GOULD.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

No. 461,573. 'atented 0015.20, 1891.

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zr I u (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.'

. C. C. GOULD.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

Patente Oct. 20 1891.

@sa @Mf Y; f v u f IMI, x .l C n. l It UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLAUDE C. GOULD, OF BUFFALO, ASSIGNOR TO THE EASTERN ELECTRICAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF WHEATFIELD, NEIV YORK.

TEL'EPl-lowi SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 461,573, dated October 20, 1891.

Application filed Maf 28,1891. Serial No. 394,401. (No model.)

ZO all whom, it may concern.-

Beit known that I, CLAUDE C. GoULD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented anew and useful Improvement in Telephone Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved telephone system. In the systems now commonly ro employed the receiver' is supported upon a vertically-movable hook which connects the ringing-,circuit with the telephone-exchange when the receiver is attached to the hook and which cuts out the ringing-circuit and establishes the talking-circuit when the receiver is removed from the hook.` In this system the subscriber upon receiving a call removes the receiver from its hook and after finishing the conversation replaces the receiver. He 2o should then ring olf to notify the telephoneexchange that the conversation has been terminated. This is, however, frequently neglected, leaving the operator at the exchange in ignorance as to whether or not the subscribers have finished. For want of a signal from the subscribers the operator is left to conjecture whether the subscribers have ended their conversation, and in endeavoring vto keep his switch-board cleared in order to,

3o render prompt and efficient service the operator is apt to disconnect such subscr1bers before they have finished, causing annoyance and confusion and impairing the efficiency of the service.

The object of my invention 1s to so organize the telephone system as torender it 1mpossible for the subscribers to replace the receiver when through talking without first ringing off to notify the telephone-exchange 4o that they have finished. l

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l 1s a vertical section of a magneto ease or box vcontaining my improvement, in connection with a diagram of the other parts of the system. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the box in line :n Qc, Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the box in line y y, Fig. l,

looking toward the left. Fig. 4 is a similar section on the same line, looking toward the 5o right. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary Vertical section of the magneto-case, showing the supporting-hook of the receiver inaretracted position. Fig. Gis .a sectional elevation of the locking mechanism of the crank-shaft.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the telephone-case or magnetobox, and B is the generator arranged in the lower part of the box or case, and Vwhich may be of any approved construction. In the 6o drawings the type of generator is shown, in which the crank-shaft is capable of sliding lengthwise in its bearings.

C is a movable hook or support for the receiver,.projecting horizontally through a vertical slot c, formed in one side of the case A, near the lower end thereof. The supportinghook is hinged at the upper end of its shank to a metallic plate or bracket c', s ecured to the inner side of the magneto box or case, so 7o as to be capable of swinging outwardly through the slot c into the position indicated in Figs. l and 2 or to recede into the case in the position shown in Fig. 5. As represented in Fig. 3, the supporting-hook is provided below its hinge with a lateral contact-plate c2, across the upper portion of which extends av strip c3 of insulating material.

c4 is a spiral spring attached at its upper end to the inner side of the case Aand at its 8o lower end to the upper porti'on of the supporting-hook, and which tends to draw the hook into the oase.

Referring to Fig. 2, D isa catch arranged if. in the case behind the ylower portion of tlie 85 supporting-hook, and whereby the latter is held in its projected position.l This -catch consists of a horizontal lever pivoted between its ends to a support secured to the inner side i 1*. of the door of the case and bearing with its 9o free end against the lower portion of the hook. This lever is'operated by a push-button d, connected to the opposite arm of the lever and arranged to slide in a socket or opening in the door or front wall of the case, the pushbutton being moved outward by a spiral spring d', surrounding the shank of the button between the latter and the inner end of the socket in which the button slides. Upon pressing the push-button d the lever D is roo swung on its pivot and its free arm is released from the lever, allowing the spring c4 to retract the hook into the case, in which position the receiver cannotv be hung upon the hook.

E represents the horizontal crank-shaft of the generator, which is capable of sliding lengthwise in its bearings, and e is a spiralA spring surrounding the crank-shaft and tending to retain the shaft in its outermost position. This spring is secured at oneend to the crank-shaft and bears with its opposite end against the adjacent bearing of the shaft. The inner end of thecrank-shatt stands opposite the vertical shank of the supportinghook C, so that upon pressing the shaft inwardly its inner end strikes the hook and swings the same outwardly against the tension` of its fetracting-spring ci. The contactplate c2 of the hook is provided opposite the inner end of the crank-shaft with a piece of insulating material c5, against which the shaft strikes, and whereby metallic contact between the crank-shaft and the hook isavoided. rlhe crank shaft of the generator is held against backward movement by a ratchetwheel e', secured to the shaft, and a pawl e2, engaging with the ratchet-wheel.

F is the gear-wheel mounted on the crankshaft and meshing with the driving-pinion f of the generator.

G is a latch or locking barpivoted at its inner end to a bracket secured to the inner wall of thecase and bearingagainst the inner side of the ratchet-wheel of the crank-shaft E. This latch is held against the shaft by a spring g bearing against the rear side of the latch.

glA is a trip-pinor projection arranged on the side of the gear-wheel F adjacent to the latch, and which is designed to move the latch outwardly beyond the ratchet-wheel e' upon turni-ng` the crank-shaft,so as to permit the latter to be shifted inwardly. By this device the subscriber is compelled to partly rotate the crank-shaft in pushing the shaft inwardly to project the supporting-hook into its normal position.

h is a binding-post, to which the main line h' is connected, and h2 is a wire connecting said binding-post with the metallic bracket or plate c,to which the supporting-hook C is hinged.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 5, t' is a contactspring secured to the case on the inner side of the contact-plate c2 of the hook, and with which said plate forms contact when the hook is in its normal projected position.

t', Figs. l and 3, is a conducting-strip connected through the metallic base of the generator with one side of the generator-coil, and i2 is a fusible wire extending from said conducting-strip to the contact-spring t'.

J represents the call-bell of the telephone, j a wire' extending from the opposite side of the generator-coil to one end of the coil of the call-belhand j is a wire leading from the opposite end of the coil of the call-bell to a binding-postjwhich latter is connected with the ground by a wire jg. "When the supportinghook is in its normal projected position, the

Vringing circuit is established through the Amain line 71.', binding-post h, wire h2, metallic bracket or plate c', contact-plate c2, contactspring z', fuse-wire i2, conducting-strip t', generator B, wire j, call-bell J, wire j', bindingpost j?, and ground-wire ji.

Referring to Figs. l and 3,1675 are the bindin g-posts, with which the wires of the receiver K are respectively connected. The bindingpost k is connected by a wire Zwith a contactspring Z, secured to the case adjacent to the contact-plate c2 of the supporting-hook. Vhen the hook is in its projected position, the spring Z bears with its free end against the insulating-strip c3 of the hook and forms no contact with the latter, while when the hook is retracted said contact-spring c lears the insulating-strip and establishes contact with the plate c2 of the hook. Z2 is a wire connecting the other binding-post la of the receiver with one end of theinduction-coil of the transmitter M, and m is a wire connecting the line side of the transmitter with the ground.

It will be understood that when the supporting-hook is in its retracted position the ringing-circuit is cut out and the talking-circuit is established through the main line h', binding-post h, wire h2, metallic bracket or plate c', contact-plate c2, contact-spring Z', wire Z, receiver K, wire Z2, transmitter M, and wire fm to the ground.

N Figs. l and 3,is the battery. n isa wire leading from one pole of the battery to the transmitter M. n is a wire leading from the transmitter to a binding-screw n2, secured i within the magneto-box, and n3 is a fuse-wire connectingsaid binding-screw with the bracket-plate c. o is a Wire connecting the opposite pole of the battery with a contact-spring o', secured within the` magneto-box, with its free `end adjacent to the contact-plate c2 of the supporting-hook, so that when the hook is in its retracted position its contact-plato bears against said contact-spring and closes the battery-circuit, while when the hook is projected the connection between the contact- `spring and the hook is broken and the battery-circuit is cut out. t

The operation of my improved telephone system is as follows: When the supportinghook is in its normal position, in which it supports the receiver, it closes the ringing-circuit,

comprising the call-bell and the generator, and cuts out the talking-circuit, comprising the receiver, the transmitter, and the battery.

j Upon receiving a call the subscriber first re- ICO IIO

replaced thereon. rIlhis inward movement of' the supporting-hook breaks the connection between the contact-plate c2of the hook and the contact-spring t' and establishes a connection between said contact-plate andthe I contact-springs Z o', forming terminals of the talk-ing and battery circuits, thereby cutting out the ringing-circuit and switching in the talking-circuit. After having finished the subscriber rings off to notify the telephoneexchange by turning the crank-shaft E and at the same time pressing the same inwardly, so that its inner end strikes the supportinghook and pushes the latter outward vthrough the opening in the case, in which position the receiver may be replaced thereon. In swinging outward the hook deects the lever of the catch D aside until the hook has cleared the lever, when the free end of thelatter engages against the rear side of the hook and locks it in its projected position until the lever is again released by pressing the push-button.

' It will thus be observed that the supportinghook of the receiver is caused to recede into the case as soon as the ringing-circuit is cut out and the talking-circuit is established, so that in order to replace the receiver after having finished the conversation the subscriber is compelled to first project the hook b y means of the crank-shaft, and as the latter cannot be turned without operating the gencrator and giving a signal at the telephoneexchange it is practically impossible for the subscriber to neglect to ring olf. The operator, therefore, has no occasion to prematurely disconnect subscribers7 thereby avoiding annoyance to subscribers, facilitating the work of the operator, and enabling him to render more efficient service.

By providing a locking device for holding the crankshaft against longitudinal movement until it has been partially turned the continued rotation of the crank-shaft after the latter has been moved inwardly to project the supporting-hook and cut in the ringing-circuit is assured, so that the subscriber cannot project the hook without at the same time ringing off.

In operatin g the crank-shaft the subscriber 'is not required to make any effort to push the shaft inward, as the ordinary pressure against the crank-arm in turning the shaft is sufticient to shift the shaft.

In calling the central office the subscriber turns the'crank-shaft, removes the receiver from the hook, and at the same time pressesthe ringing mechanism whereby the hook is` returned to its normal position after being released by said catch, substantially as set forth.

2. In a telephone system, the combination, with a talking-circuit and a ringing or signaling circuit, of a movable switch-hook orl support for the receiver capable of assuming an abnormal position in which it forms no support for the receiver, a catch or retaining device whereby the hook is held in its normal position, a spring which moves the hook into its abnormal position when released by said catch, and a shifting device controlled by the ringing mechanism, whereby the hook is returned to its normal position, substantially as set forth.

3. In'a telephone system, the combination, with a talking-circuit, a ringing or signaling circuit, and a box or case containing terminals of said circuits, of a movable switchhook or support for the receiver attached to the case and capable of receding into the case, a catch whereby the hook is retained in` its normal position and which permits the hook to recede into the case when disengaged from the hook, and a generator having a longitudinally-movable actuating shaft whereby the hook isprojected out of the case, substantially as set forth.

4. In a telephone system, the combination, with a boX or case, of talking and ringing or signalin g circuits terminating in said case, a

lswitch-hook or support for the receiver pivoted in the case and capable of swinging outside of the case and receding into the same, a catch whereby said hook is held in its normal projected position, and a push-button whereby said catch is disengaged from th hook, substantially as set forth.

5. In a telephone system, the combination, with a talking-circuit, a ringing or signaling circuit, and a box or case containing terminais of said circuits, of a movable switchhook or support for the receiver attached to the case and capable of receding into the case, a generator having a lengthwise-movable actuating-shaft whereby the hook is projected out of the case, and a latch or stop which holds the actuating-shaft against longitudinal movement during a portion of its rotation, substantially as set forth.

6. In a telephone system, the combination, with a talking-circuit, a ringing or signalin g IOO circnihandabox or case containing terminals jection arranged on the shaft, whereby said xo of said circuits, of a movable switeh-hook or latch is disengaged from the Shaft, substansupport for ILhe receiver attached to the case tially as set forth.

and capable of receding into the case, a gen- \Vitness my hand this 19th day of lllay, erator having a lengthwise-movable aetuat- 1891. :ing-shaft whereby the hook is projected out CLAUDE C. GOULI). of the case, a latch or stop bar engagingwith I Witnesseb:

the shaft and holding the same against lon- FRED. C. GEYER, gitudinal movement, and a trip-pin o1` pro- I C. F. GEYER. 

